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Liverpool Determined to Be the Annoying Itch That Chelsea Can’t Shake off
- Updated: January 1, 2017
ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL—Liverpool ended 2016 in style with a superb 1-0 victory over title rivals Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve.
Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal after eight minutes proved the match-winner for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the Dutch midfielder producing an Alan Shearer-esque header to power home Adam Lallana’s superb cross from the left.
It was Wijnaldum’s second goal for the club after arriving from Newcastle United in the summer—his first having been a late tap-in from close range against Watford in a 6-1 win, and this was of much greater significance and skill.
Liverpool defended resolutely and held on for the three points to give themselves their best points total at the halfway mark of the season in the Premier League era—eclipsing the 42 earned under Rafael Benitez’s leadership in 2008/09 by one point.
That season Liverpool went on to finish second and with Chelsea having made it 13 consecutive wins earlier in the day, second is where Liverpool look most likely to finish come May—having moved four points clear of City with this victory.
Klopp vs. Guardiola
In a league dominated by managerial heavyweights, this was one of the big matchups, with Klopp going head-to-head with Pep Guardiola in the Premier League for the first time.
Klopp’s side produced a performance befitting of their manager, while City struggled to produce anything resembling a Guardiola side with the visitors struggling to make any chances in the first half—their first shot on target arrived early in the second half.
City improved in the second half, mostly …
